Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro

**napa68** · #1 12-31-2014, 01:04 AM

As promised, I was going to start a thread on the 68 Camaro I recently purchased. I plan for all of this to take a while and post updates as I go along. Some members here are aware of this car (I was not) and already have started to steer me in a good direction. My immediate plan is to investigate the car, clean and familiarize myself with it. While this is not my 1st gen Camaro, it certainly is a departure from my comfort zone (Corvette's)

What we have here is a "mostly" unrestored 68 L78 SS Camaro. This car was purchased from Harry Mann Chevrolet. This car also has a history of sort as a drag car in Southern California. At some point, the original L78 short block was swapped out for an L88 short block (2nd owner?). According to documents I have, the engine is a 12:1, ZL1 cammed 427 with it's original L78 heads, intake, and carb. As one will see, there are some Day 2 parts here. The HM L78 has a replacement M22 (possible warranty per Jerry M) and it's original 4:10 rear end (with original posi and gears).

The HM L78 has been verified by JM as an good "Survivor" candidate with it's original short block, trim tag, body panels, some original paint, and original interior. The wheels are the same as they were back in the day.

For those who are familiar with this car, feel free to contact me or chime in. The history of the car is rather interesting as I know it. With that being said, I want the story to be straight and not my own interpretation of it.

Now.............some pics.

I understand this to be original mileage.

Oh yea, I found this floating around in the car. Does it mean anything? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

**Charley Lillard** · #2 12-31-2014, 01:07 AM

Sweet. Please leave the L88 in it.

**napa68** · #3 12-31-2014, 01:11 AM

**Bill Pritchard** · #4 12-31-2014, 03:01 AM

Oh wow, that is stunning. Agree with Charley, please leave the L88 in it. A light underhood cleaning is probably in order, but please don't "fluff" it. What an awesome find!

camaromb · #5 12-31-2014, 03:11 AM

I remember when Jim Y. from the site had the car. He had said it was an L88 transplant for Harry Mann's grandson, the original owner. He had said he negotiated the price down because it didn't have the original engine and later found the L88 transplant paperwork from Harry Mann. A nice car that I had interest in at that time. Yes, keep the L88 in it and have fun. Maybe Jim can chime in on the history of the car.

**markjohnson** · #6 12-31-2014, 03:35 AM

What a great car. I love that engine compartment and would hate to see a can of spray paint within 10 feet of it. I agree with Bill about light cleaning only!

**bilede** · #7 12-31-2014, 04:45 AM

Wow, reminds me of a car I had in high school. can I have it?

**SuperNovaSS** · #8 12-31-2014, 04:54 AM

Awesome car. I love the Roto-Faze dizzy. The whole car is awesome. How does the posi work?

Jason

**Xplantdad** · #9 12-31-2014, 05:49 AM

Tim-69NovaJoe (Joe C.) might know of this car...as his Nova SS was bought new at Harry Mann...and he also raced and won at Lions...I pinged him on this thread. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Tarrytown SS427s · #10 12-31-2014, 12:20 PM

Love that Island Teal!

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